Asset Details
Do you wish to reserve the book?
Specifying and protecting germ cell fate
Hey, we have placed the reservation for you!
By the way, why not check out events that you can attend while you pick your title.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place the reservation. Kindly try again later.
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
Specifying and protecting germ cell fate
Do you wish to request the book?
Specifying and protecting germ cell fate
Please be aware that the book you have requested cannot be checked out. If you would like to checkout this book, you can reserve another copy
We have requested the book for you!
Your request is successful and it will be processed during the Library working hours. Please check the status of your request in My Requests.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place your request. Kindly try again later.
Journal Article
Specifying and protecting germ cell fate
2015
Overview
Key Points
Germ cells generate an organism's gametes and progeny. To accomplish this, germ cells must be properly specified and protected during development.
In some animals, specification of the germline is continuous and involves the segregation of cytoplasmic 'determinants' during embryogenesis (preformation). In other animals, the germline is newly formed and requires inductive signalling during embryogenesis (induction).
Among the diverse mechanisms of germ cell specification are: transmission of maternally supplied germ plasm containing germ granules to primordial germ cells (PGCs); transmission of epigenetic memory from parent germ cells to PGCs in progeny; and expression of transcription factors that programme embryonic cells to develop as PGCs.
Aberrant gene expression or misguided PGC migration can cause germ cells to exhibit somatic features and even contribute to somatic tissues. In the gonad, germ cells are prevented from expressing genes that would threaten germline health and development.
The mechanisms that suppress aberrant gene expression and protect germline fate include global transcriptional repression in PGCs, maintenance of a germline chromatin state and translation of only germline-appropriate transcripts in germ cells.
Recent studies in different species have increased our understanding of the factors and molecular mechanisms that underlie the specification of germ cells, which are the specialized cells that generate gametes. Moreover, studies are elucidating how these cells ensure that only germline-appropriate transcripts are translated to protect germ cell identity.
Germ cells are the special cells in the body that undergo meiosis to generate gametes and subsequently entire new organisms after fertilization, a process that continues generation after generation. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of the factors and mechanisms that specify germ cell fate, including the partitioning of maternally supplied 'germ plasm', inheritance of epigenetic memory and expression of transcription factors crucial for primordial germ cell (PGC) development. Even after PGCs are specified, germline fate is labile and thus requires protective mechanisms, such as global transcriptional repression, chromatin state alteration and translation of only germline-appropriate transcripts. Findings from diverse species continue to provide insights into the shared and divergent needs of these special reproductive cells.
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
Subject
